Challis Hodge’s UXblog

World�s First 3G Mobile Service Starts in Tokyo
The World’s first super-fast nextgeneration wireless service began in Japan today although only as a limited rollout of 3,300 handsets in the Tokyo area. Eager Japanese gadget fans � chosen from 147,000 applicants � lined up at an office of the nation�s top mobile carrier NTT DoCoMo. Get the story here.

Surfing in the Skies
Virgin Atlantic is rushing to be the first airline to offer on-board Web and e-mail access. Whether the technology is up to snuff, however, remains to be seen. More here.

Scrambling to Improve Online Security
Orbiscom creates temporary numbers that MBNA and Discover credit card holders can use online, without fearing that they’ll be stolen and reused. Read more here.

McDonalds Testing Cashless Payments
McDonald’s Corporation has begun testing the use of a cashless payment system that uses the kind of radio transponder technology that was first developed by state highways to allow motorists to drive through toll plazas without having to stop to make a payment. McDonald’s customers will wave the “Speedpass,” a small transponder, at a drive-through window or at device inside the restaurant, and their transactions amounts will be immediately deducted from a “FreedomPay” account they’ve established on the phone or Internet backed by a major credit card. Similar systems have been used at Mobil gas stations and at some other fast-food restaurant chains. More here.

IFTF’s 2001 Ten-Year Forecast Released: New Consumers Creating a New Marketplace
The Corporate Associates Program is pleased to announce the release of the latest edition of the Ten-Year Forecast! The 2001 Ten-Year Forecast has a twist — a theme. The theme is centered on what we think is the single most powerful driving force in the economy at the turn of the century — the emergence of consumers who use information more intensively to meet their economic needs. In the process, these new consumers are influencing a spectrum of business and economic decisions and transforming a variety of societal precepts. While we have discussed various aspects of the new consumers in past Ten-Year Forecasts and theme reports, here we have attempted to distill all of our research on the new consumer into a single volume. More here. Institute for the Future home.

Midol Creates Online Game to Create Buzz About Its Products
Midol may well be reaching the target market with this campaign but what message is this sending to young women?

From the site:

“Which Mighty Midol are you? Marissa the Cramp Killer, Mimi the Water Retention Warrior or Maya, PMS Predator? Take the quiz and find out.”

“Let’s go girls! Battle the bloats, fight off fatigue and kick cramp butt! Monsteruation doesn’t stand a chance.”

“Grab your girlfriends and destroy Monsteruation. Tell them about the Mighty Midols and you could win a $100 Alloy shopping spree.”
Check it out here.

A Media Gizmo
The WB Television Network hopes an ongoing promotion will help it leap frog, like its cartoon icon, over the ever-growing loyalty that UPN and other networks are gaining among its core adolescent set. In late March, the network launched The WB Insider Gizmo, an updateable rich-media messaging program that allows users to download a device onto their desktops, forward to friends, or copy to personal Websites. Read more

Web Pads
“Andrew Vadjinia just wants Web pads to be customer-friendly. Mr. Vadjinia, the wine director for the Aureole restaurant at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, said he would start using ProGear Web pads next week for the restaurant’s wine list. The wine list will be available on 30 Web pads, which will be handed out to diners. The pads will be wirelessly linked to voluminous information on each wine. “Our mission is to serve what people want,” Mr. Vadjinia said. “These Web pads help us do just that.”"Vadjinia and ProGear may well be on to what seems to be a well kept secret. Meet real needs in a simple and straightforward way and incremental innovations will realize great success! Read more about web pads here.